Crawford avalanche., 1887-06-16
Frederic Items.


family whispered to our people that
some new enterprise would soon lend
additional attractions to our town.
But it has never assumed a definite
form except to few wh1 were the Gus
todians of the secret, till recently
about three weeks ago the public were
authoratively informed that the camps
recently built few miles out from
this place, ostensibly for lumber
namps ware In reality railroad camps.
and that their crews are now cutting,
clearing and grubbing the line for the
track of a railroad to be built from
Frederic via Alba on the @. K & l. r.
r. to East Jordan in Charlevoix coun-
ty. The road is to be built by David
Ward and principally, if not entirely
on his own land. East Jordan is on
the south end of the south arm to
Pine Lake, and is navigable to that
place for lake steamers from Lake
Michigan. This not only brings US in
to direct connection with Lake Michi-
gan, but forms a connecting link be-
tween the two railroads. The build
ing of this road is now assured and it
will make us one road nearer to being
q railroad center.
On one of the last days of May our
little community was surprised by the
appearance among us of an officer
with warrant for the arrest of Rev.
WIN. Putnam for violation of the rev.
enue laws relating to traffic in alcohol
ic liquors. The complainant was not
known, nor were the charges on which
the warrant was based. 1t was im-
possible therefore for Mr.. Putnam to
prepare any defense, except at random.
But everybody interested in knowing
knew with what scrupulous integrity
Mr.. Putnam had avoided any infringe
ment OF the liquor laws both in letter
and spirit. Even his mosr intimate
friends in times of sorest need have
been uniformly refused liquors on
every application. This was notorious.
Hence no fear for the result was enter
tanned by his friends with any fair
treatment. The proceedings were be-
lieved to be malicious, and since the
parties parties to the suit have become
known to the public, the whole affair
is viewed as not only malicious, but
on the part of some of them a mani
festation of base ingratltude. In the
absence of resident physician In our
place, Mr.. Putnam has been frequent
ly called upon to act in that capacity.
And through series of years has gone
at every call without money and with
out price at all hours of the day and
night. For his medicines alone he has
charged their valne but never for his
services in administering them. Some
of the parties arrayed against him in
this disreputable suit are under large
obligations to him on this account.
The sequel justified the facts. Mfr.
Putnam's examination was had before
the u. s.. Commissioner in Bay City
After hearing the witnesses the case
was dismissed as unfounded. Had the
charges been true that Mr.. Putnam
was engaged in clandestinely selling
alcoholic beverages In violation of law
there Is good evidence for the belief
that these very men would have de.
Tended and sheltered him to the last,
but because he would not do IL and
also because he arrayed himself un-
compromisingly against all who did,
are among the causes that led to this
prosecution.
+. II. Putnam, son of Rev. VIM.
Putnam, who has been acting as sta
ton agent at Frederic. since the build
ing of our depot In Nov. 1855, has
been transferred to- Holt station be-
tween Lansing and Mason, and z. j.
Guck. formerly night operator at
Cheboygan Will hereafter act as agent
at this place.
Len. Wallace one of the surveyors
crew engaged in running out the new
railroad was brought home Saturday
With cut foot, which will disable him
for labor for several weeks.
NED.
Frederic, June II, '97.